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Jeff Beck, one of the most influential guitarists of our time, passed away in January at the age of 78. Last week, musicians came together to pay tribute to Beck at two special concerts at the Royal Albert Hall.
Among the musicians who performed were Eric Clapton, Metallica’s Kirk Hammett, Rod Stewart, Johnny Depp, and Aerosmith’s Joe Perry. The ensemble played material and covers that Beck himself played throughout his lifetime.
Highlights of the shows included a cover of John Lennon’s “Isolation” performed by Hammett, Depp, and ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons, in tribute to Beck’s take on the song. In addition, Stewart played a four-song medley with Clapton and Gibbons, and Depp took on ZZ Top’s “Rough Boy”, a song Beck and Gibbons used to play together.
Clapton also played an extended set on both nights which featured some of Beck’s originals, as well as songs from their time in the Yardbirds and blues standards by Buddy Guy and Muddy Waters.
Other notable performers across the two nights included Imelda May, John McLaughlin, Robert Randolph, Olivia Safe, Joss Stone, Susan Tedeschi, Derek Trucks, Ronnie Wood, and members of the Jeff Beck Band.
Fan-filmed footage of the shows is available online. Surplus income from the two concerts has been donated to Folly Wildlife Rescue in Tunbridge Wells, Kent.
Jeff Beck was a truly gifted musician and will be missed by many.
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